SHELBURNE FALLS — The village will celebrate the birth of the country on Tuesday, July 4, with its traditional chicken barbecue and parade.

The parade will head down Bridge Street at noon after lining up along Conway Street at The Mill at Shelburne Falls starting at 10:30 a.m. It will end at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School.

“Throughout the years I have had everything,” organizer Steven Finck said of parade participation, mentioning floats carrying barbershop quartets, dance troupes and antique vehicles.

There are expected to be about 15 to 20 fire trucks present from departments across Franklin County, with classic cars and antique motorcycles following suit. The Shelburne Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8503 will lead the parade. Floats celebrating Deerfield’s 350th anniversary are also expected to participate.

All children who decorate their bicycles to ride in the parade will receive a free gift certificate for ice cream to use at Mo’s Fudge Factor.

Finck noted the parade will start a half hour later than usual this year. In the past, the parade was sponsored by the Shelburne Falls Lions Club but is now organized by Finck as an individual. He has been involved in organizing the parade for about 30 years.

The Shelburne Grange will sponsor the chicken barbecue immediately following the parade. There are 220 tickets available. In the past, the Shelburne Falls Cub Scouts Pack 85 would host the barbecue, Finck said, but the Grange has taken on the responsibility.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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